Computer enclosure with removable side panel

ABSTRACT

A computer enclosure includes a front panel ( 10 ), a side panel ( 20 ), and a latch ( 30 ). The front panel has a flange ( 11 ). The flange defines a slot ( 111 ) therein. The side panel has a flange holder ( 23 ) corresponding to the flange. The latch is attached to the side panel. The latch has a clasp ( 36 ) corresponding to the slot. The clasp is engaged in the slot for preventing the side panel from moving in a first direction, and the flange holder cooperates with the flange for restricting movement of the side panel in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a computer enclosure, more particularly to a computer enclosure which has a removable side panel with a latch thereon.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

A computer enclosure usually includes a chassis, a front panel, and two side panels. The front panel is attached to the chassis. A plurality of screws is provided to assemble the side panels with the front panel. A screwdriver is required in the assembly process.

An improved computer enclosure with a side panel clip fastening configuration, includes clip fasteners securing with slots of the computer enclosure, for assembling two side panels to the computer enclosure from an outer side thereof. The clip fasteners can be rotated on the side panels to engage or disengage with or from the slots of the computer enclosure, thereby assembling or disassembling the side panels. However, the clip fasteners have a complicated configuration and are not easy to use. Furthermore, having the clip fasteners on the outside of the side panels is unattractive.

What is needed, therefore, is a computer enclosure with a simply structured and easily operated latch therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A computer enclosure includes a front panel, a side panel, and a latch. The front panel has a flange. The flange defines a slot therein. The side panel has a flange holder corresponding to the flange. The latch is attached to the side panel. The latch has a clasp corresponding to the slot. The clasp is engaged in the slot for preventing the side panel from moving in a first direction, and the flange holder cooperates with the flange for restricting movement of the side panel in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Other advantages and novel features will be drawn from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment with attached drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of a computer enclosure of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the computer enclosure including a front panel, a side panel, and a latch;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, isometric view of the latch of FIG. 1, but viewed from another aspect;

FIG. 3 is an abbreviated, assembled view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of encircled portion IV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an assembled inverted view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 3, but with the latch lifted; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of encircled portion VII of FIG. 6;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an enclosure of an electronic device like a computer of the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a front panel 10, a side panel 20, and a latch 30.

The front panel 10 has a flange 11 perpendicularly extending from one side thereof. An outer edge of the flange 11 is rolled back. A plurality of latch slots 111 is defined in a middle portion of the flange 11.

The side panel 20 is rectangular. A side edge of the side panel 20 is rolled back to form a strengthening edge 21. A plurality of spaced flange holders 23 is formed on the strengthening edge 21 with free distal ends corresponding to the flange 11 of the front panel 10. A pair of restricting clips 24 is perpendicularly bent with free distal ends extending parallel to the side panel 20 from a middle portion of the strengthening edge 21. A round button opening 27 is defined in the side panel 20 adjacent to the restricting clips 24.

Referring also to FIG. 2, the latch 30 is generally in a shape of strip. The latch 30 includes a fixing portion 31, a resilient body 32, and an engaging portion 35. A plurality of rivet holes 312 is defined in the fixing portion 31. A button 321 is stamped down on the resilient body 32. A neck 33 has a narrower width than the resilient body 32, and perpendicularly connects the resilient body 32 and the engaging portion 35. Two shoulders 323 are respectively formed on the resilient body 32 near the neck 33 corresponding to the restricting clips 24 of the side panel 20. The engaging portion 35 includes two clasps 36. A pair of tabs 361 is respectively bent up on opposite sides of each clasp 36 corresponding to the latch slots 111 of the front panel 10. Each tab 361 has a bevel edge 3611 at a front portion thereof, and a vertical engaging edge 3613 is formed opposite to the bevel edge 3611.

Referring also to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, when assembling the side panel 20 to the front panel 10, the latch 30 is attached to an inner side of the side panel 20 with a plurality of rivets. The button 321 is aligned with an inner bottom of the button opening 27 of the side panel 20 in order to be revealed without protruding therefrom. The shoulders 323 are respectively confined below each restricting clip 24 of the side panel 20.

When assembling the side panel 20 to the front panel 10, the side panel 20 is moved towards the flange 11 of the front panel 10. When the bevel edges 3611 of the latch 30 abut against the edge of the flange 11 of the front panel 10, the engaging portion 35 of the latch 30 is lifted up and the resilient body 32 bends up. The tabs 361 are received in the corresponding latch slots 111 of the front panel 10, when the resilient body 32 of the side panel 30 rebounds. The side panel 20 is secured in a direction perpendicular to the front panel 10. At the same point, the flange holders 23 are respectively engaged with the flange 11 of the front panel 10 for restricting the side panel 20 from moving perpendicularly away from the flange 11. Thus the side panel 20 is firmly attached to the front panel 10.

Referring also to FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, when detaching the side panel 20 from the front panel 10, the button 321 is pushed causing the tabs 361 to disengage from the corresponding latch slots 111 of the front panel 10. Then the side panel 20 is drawn away from the front panel 10. The flange 11 is disengaged from the flange holders 23 of the front panel 10. Thus the side panel 20 is easily detached from the front panel 10.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description of a preferred embodiment, together with details of the structure and function of the preferred embodiment, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

1. A computer enclosure, comprising: a front panel having a flange, the flange defining a slot; a side panel having a flange holder corresponding to the flange; and a latch attached to the side panel, the latch having a clasp corresponding to the slot, wherein the clasp is engaged in the slot for preventing the side panel from moving in a first direction, and the flange holder cooperates with the flange for restricting movement of the side panel in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
 2. The computer enclosure as described in claim 1, wherein the side panel defines an opening, and the latch has a button accessible through the opening.
 3. The computer enclosure as described in claim 1, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the front panel.
 4. The computer enclosure as described in claim 1, wherein at least one tab is formed on the clasp.
 5. The computer enclosure as described in claim 4, wherein a bevel edge is formed in a front portion of the tab.
 6. The computer enclosure as described in claim 5, wherein a vertical engaging edge opposite to the bevel edge is formed on the tab for engaging with an edge of the slot.
 7. The computer enclosure as described in claim 1, wherein the latch further comprises a fixing portion for attaching the latch to the side panel.
 8. The computer enclosure as described in claim 1, wherein the latch is attached to an inner side of the side panel.
 9. The computer enclosure as described in claim 1, wherein a restricting clip is perpendicularly bent from the side panel with a free distal end parallel to the side panel for restricting movement of the latch.
 10. A latch assembly of a computer enclosure, comprising: a front panel defining a slot therein; and a side panel having a latch thereon, the latch being flexible in a direction perpendicular to the side panel, a clasp being formed at an end portion of the latch, wherein the clasp has a bevel portion for lifting up the clasp and a vertical portion for engaging with an edge of the slot.
 11. The latch assembly as described in claim 10, wherein the front panel has a flange perpendicular thereto, and a slot is defined therein.
 12. The latch assembly as described in claim 11, wherein the engaging portion has a tab, and the bevel portion and the vertical portion are formed thereon.
 13. The latch assembly as described in claim 12, wherein a plurality of flange holders is formed on the side panel for holding the flange of the front panel.
 14. The latch assembly as described in claim 10, wherein the side panel defines an opening, and the latch has a button accessible through the opening.
 15. The latch assembly as described in claim 10, wherein the latch further comprises a fixing portion for attaching the latch to the side panel.
 16. The latch assembly as described in claim 10, wherein the latch is attached to an inner side of the side panel.
 17. The latch assembly as described in claim 10, wherein a restricting clip is perpendicularly bent from the side panel with free distal end parallel to the side panel for restricting movement of the latch.
 18. An electronic device comprising: an enclosure of said electronic device enclosing said electronic device; a panel removably attachable to said enclosure and extending along a side of said enclosure in order to cover said side of said enclosure when said panel is attached to said side of said enclosure, and to reveal an interior of said enclosure via said side of said enclosure when said panel is detached from said side of said enclosure; a latch selectively attachable to one of said panel and a portion of said enclosure neighboring said side of said enclosure, and installable to be flush with said side of said enclosure without disturbing in a first position thereof, said latch being movable between said first position thereof where said latch is able to engage with the other of said panel and said portion of said enclosure to secure said panel to said enclosure, and a second position thereof where said latch moves toward said interior of said enclosure to release said panel from said enclosure, said latch defining a button thereat to be exposable from said one of said panel and said portion of said enclosure in order to be user-accessible for triggering movement of said latch from said first position thereof to said second position thereof.
 19. The electronic device as described in claim 18, wherein said portion of said enclosure is another panel of said enclosure extending perpendicular to said side of said enclosure.
 20. The electronic device as described in claim 18, wherein said button of said latch is exposable from an opening formed at said one of said panel and said portion of said enclosure, and is flush with an inner bottom of said opening without protruding therefrom. 